Slow Cooker Ribs

Ribs that aren't on the grill? You read that right. The slow cooker actually makes cooking ribs a dream when you don't feel like making the effort to fire up the grill—or clean it later. These slow cooker ribs are tasty and simple and pair well with practically any of your favorite summer sides.

Ingredients:

• 3 - 3 1/2 lbs pork baby back ribs
• 1 tsp ancho chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Barbecue sauce (or use 1 cup store-bought):

• 1 1/2 cups ketchup, such as Heinz Natural (or one without high fructose corn syrup)
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 1/2 Tbsp molasses
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar (dark or light)
• 2 Tbsp steak sauce, such as A1
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp Prepared yellow mustard
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp Natural liquid hickory smoke flavor (found in BBQ sauce section)
• 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/8 tsp Chipotle chili powder or cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1. Remove the membrane layer from the back of the ribs, then if the ribs are too wide to fit sideways along the insert of the slow cooker then cut the ribs in half.
2. Rinse and dab dry then sprinkle and rub both sides of each portion with spice mixture.
3. Pour 1/2 cup water into a 6-quart slow cooker. Place ribs over water (one layered over the other if you had to cut in half, otherwise curl around inside of slow cooker insert).
4. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 1/2 - 7 hours or until very tender.
5. Place a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
6. Carefully transfer ribs with the curved sides up to a wire rack on a baking sheet (I recommend using two pairs of tongs or tongs and a turner to lift them, they are super tender).
7. Brush with about 1/2 cup bbq sauce (total). Move oven rack 2 levels below broiler and heat broiler.
8. Broil ribs until bbq sauce start to set and caramelize, about 2 - 3 minutes (keep a close eye on them).
9. Remove from oven, carefully turn ribs brush with another 1/2 cup sauce and return to oven and broil for about 2 - 3 minutes. Serve warm.